Brennan gets shot before NFL scouts
Advertiser Staff and News services
University of Hawai'i record-setting quarterback Colt Brennan will be among the 100 top senior NFL draft prospects participating in the 2008 Under Armour Senior Bowl Saturday in Mobile, Ala.
Brennan reported to Mobile last weekend and will play for the South squad, which will be coached by San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Nolan and his staff.
Another player with Hawai'i ties, Colorado linebacker Jordon Dizon, a Waimea High graduate, will be playing for the North squad. The North will be coached by Oakland Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin and his staff.
The players will have one practice per day during Senior Bowl Week, capped by the 59th annual game at 3 p.m. (11 a.m. Hawai'i time) at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The game will be televised on the NFL Network, which is not carried by Oceanic Cable in Hawai'i.
Brennan is one of three quarterbacks on the South. The others are Erik Ainge of Tennessee and Andre Woodson of Kentucky. The North quarterbacks are John David Booty of USC, Chad Henne of Michigan and Joe Flacco of Delaware.
Brennan, who two seasons ago set the NCAA record for most touchdown passes in a season with 58, led UH to a 12-0 regular season and a Sugar Bowl berth.
The 6-foot-3 Brennan is the lightest of all the quarterbacks, being listed at 190 on the roster. Ainge is 6-5 and 215 pounds; Woodson, 6-4, 220; Booty, 6-3, 210; Henne, 6-2, 225; Flacco, 6-6, 237.
Ainge was a replacement for Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm, who was unable to recuperate in time from a leg injury suffered during the season.
Ainge, who was 25 of 43 passing for 365 yards and two touchdowns in Tennessee's win over Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl, said he was excited to get invited to Saturday's game.
The reason: The players get evaluated by NFL personnel.
"Any time you can see a player throw the ball in person, it's more valuable," Ainge said. "And showing what I can do is why I'm here."
Ninety players from the 2007 Senior Bowl were selected in the 2007 NFL Draft, including 12 first-round picks. NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Patrick Willis of the 49ers played in last year's game. Houston linebacker DeMeco Ryans, another Defensive Rookie of the Year, played in the 2006 game.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.